No mudslinging here, just the facts from a candidate

Sunday

Oct 28, 2012 at 12:01 AM

Within days of a seminal election, the Pocono Record chose the path of sensationalism rather than provide its readers with sufficient information to allow them to choose their next representative in the 10th Congressional District.

PHIL SCOLLO

Within days of a seminal election, the Pocono Record chose the path of sensationalism rather than provide its readers with sufficient information to allow them to choose their next representative in the 10th Congressional District.

The Oct. 20 article "Mudslinging reaches new low in political campaign" does nothing more than dignify and validate the very practice it pretends to condemn.

Also troubling is the editor's decision to not allow me an interview with the editorial board, only because Tom Marino would not agree to one.

As this may be my only opportunity, I submit my background and positions:

I am a proud grandson of Sicilian immigrants. My dad was a New York City firefighter who worked side jobs to make ends meet. My family taught me the value of hard work, never taking anything for granted and doing the right thing. I put myself through St. John's University while working full time on the loading dock at Macy's.

I now run a small management consulting business based in Milford. Our business thrived until Karen was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2003. Our health insurance company initially denied coverage, but we fought them and ultimately won. The intervening gap in coverage caused us to fall behind in our bills. We faced bankruptcy and the prospect of losing our home. We were fortunate enough to persevere and get a handle on our finances.

Republican U.S. Rep. Tom Marino can attack me, but he cannot hide from his abysmal voting record.

The hard truth is that the congressman has voted twice to end the Medicare guarantee, threaten Social Security and cut funding both for education and infrastructure.

Incredibly, he has voted to cut funding at the Tobyhanna Army Depot. That bill would result in hundreds of layoffs at the Depot.

2. Introduce a "Made in America" tax break. Simplify the tax code and reduce regulatory burdens on businesses — there is an estimated $1.75 trillion lost a year due to regulations. We can do better than that.

3. Encourage innovation by extending the federal research and development tax credit and making sure our public schools, research universities and community colleges are able to educate and train a true 21st century workforce, especially in the fields of science, technology, engineering and math.

4. A modern transportation and energy infrastructure is a requirement for both businesses and communities to grow. Clean energy alternatives like renewable energy and natural gas along with a smart power grid will be critical to the next century of job creation, economic growth, conservation and environmental sustainability. When we make infrastructure investments, the federal government must "Buy American."

5. We need to continue opening markets abroad where our manufacturers, businesses and innovators can sell their world-leading goods and services — but only on a level playing field. Let's make sure nations like China are not unfairly manipulating their currency or using unlawful sweatshop labor to illegally or unjustly undercut American competitors.

I believe this is a plan most Americans can get behind, Republicans and Democrats. I haven't seen ideas like this come from my opponent. My opponent has voted to cut jobs from the district while advocating for increased foreign aid to Africa.

Both sides of the aisle agree that the proposals I've offered will strengthen our economy — here in Pennsylvania and across the nation.

Together, we can revitalize our region, but we need a representative who will bring these ideas to the floor and get them passed!

Phil Scollo is the Democratic candidate for the 10th Congressional District. He runs Millbridge Management in Milford.